ELP Digest Tuesday, 21 October 1997 Volume 7 : Issue 19 The "Counting Up The Time" Edition Today's Topics: Giveaway! Emerson "Nighthawks" soundtrack LPs Issue 4 of Impressions ELP On LaserDisc ! ELP on Laser Disc Tarkus fingerings ELP Chat Room Where to buy Emerson CDs? ELP videos RAH video ELP King Biscuit album ELP King Biscuit album Montreal, Aug. 26, 1977 ELP AT THE PROMS??? A Nice Question and some thanks Hamond L-100 Info Greg Lake's "Christian faith" "In My Own Time" Met Emo in Italy ELP in Europe ELP at Teatro Guaira II ELP in Buenos Aires Concert Setember 6 Wolfe Trap my dream came true ELP's First Concert in US (1997) ELP at Wolf Trap, VA 9/6 ELP show at vienna, virginia Prelude ======= Hello again. Since the backlog has gotten so large, I've tried to mix this Digest up with a little bit of everything. I had forgotten that our non-US readers hadn't yet seen fan reviews of any US shows so I've included a few of them. And there's some news about the "Royal Albert Hall" video, the King Biscuit release. (Oh yes, ELP is also selling a CD of their Isle of Wight appearance direct from their official web site: http://www.dynrec.com/elp. So take the time to check that out, too!). It's the busiest year for ELP in a long time. And that means that it's a busy year for the Digest. This mailing list is now over 1,400 fans from around the world. And I'm getting about 10-15 ELP messages per day. Since I try to make each Digest a manageable size, you don't have to think long to realize that I'm having to make more "editorial judgments" than ever. I continue to have very few restiction of what I'll put in the Digest. (For example, we don't discuss bootlegs here.) I accept praise and criticism of ELP as well as questions and answers. But it's become clear to me over the summer that I can't put EVERY message that's sent to me in the Digest in a timely manner. I'm doing the best I can managing the flow of information out to each of you through the Digest. As always, I'm trying to find the right balance between flooding your mailboxes and getting you the best mix of information on a regular basis. (I'm still averaging a Digest every 3 weeks and will try to get it to the point where the Digest is every 2 weeks.) If you've got better ideas, please send me some mail. If it makes sense and seems to be in the best interests of the ELP Digest readers, I'll give it a try. In keeping with this, you'll see an announcement in this Digest that one of the ELP Digest readers has started an ELP chat room. I haven't had time to try it yet. But, for those of you who need more frequent and interactive discussions of all things ELP, this might just be what you're looking for. Till next time, - John - ------------------------------------------------------------ From: John Arnold , on 9/30/97 1:45 AM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Giveaway! Emerson "Nighthawks" soundtrack LPs Hi. An ELP Digest reader who has requested anonymity recently gave me 3 copies of the Keith Emerson soundtrack record that were found in a local record store. These are vinyl records. They are pretty much still shrink-wrapped but aren't in great condition but they do appear to be in good condition. (After all, it appears they were sitting in various record stores for a number of years.) They are in need of an appreciative home. I am going to give these LPs away by random selection chosen from the ELP Digest who express an interest in them by sending e-mail to: Nighthawks-Giveaway@reluctant.com. Only one entry per reader. Anyone who sends more than one entry will be disqualified. You'll have to trust me that this will be random. I'm going to add up the number of responses I get and have someone other than me choose a number in the range from 0 to . Then, I'll contact the winners to get a mailing address and announce the winners (e-mail address only) in a future edition of the ELP Digest. I'll do my best to get the LPs to you in decent condition but I can't guarantee anything. (I.e., I'm not going to go broke on insurance but I'll be reasonable.) So, if you' re interested in one of these LPs, please send ONE e-mail message with your name and return e-mail address to Nighthawks-Giveaway@reluctant.com by November 2, 1997 (which just happens to be Keith's birthday). Entries sent to any other e-mail address will be deleted without being entered into the contest. Good luck! (And a special thanks to the donor of these LPs.) - John - ------------------------------ From: estazz99@intonet.co.uk, on 9/9/97 12:55 PM: To: John Arnold Subject: Issue 4 of Impressions Impressions is a UK based magazine devoted to ELP. It is glossy and printed in colour and each issue averages 30 pages. Issue 4 of Impressions has just been released. It contains an exclusive interview with Keith Emerson, tourlist, news, report from King Crimson 'Epitaph Live 1969' Playback in London, report from Carl Palmer drum clinic in Wisconsin in A pril, ELP Survey result, Greg Lake at Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, New Releases, Forthcoming Releases, Reviews of Greg Lake 'From the Beginning' CD Retrospective and ELP 'Live at the Royal Albert Hall' video, an ELP CROSSWORD (first one ever?!?!?), report on Swedish musician Par Lindh and much more. Issue 4 also contains: Two photos from 1971 - one of Keith Emerson and one of ELP - NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED ANYWWHERE. So if you are into ELP, you'll be into Impressions! This is how to subscribe: The subscription for Issues 4, 5 and 6 is: UK 15 pounds, Rest of the World 20 pounds/$35. Issues 1, 2 and 3 are available as back issues: UK 6 pound each, Rest of the World 7pound/$12 each. All cheques are payable to: TRILOGY and MUST be drawn on a UK BANK. If paying in US $$, please either pay by CASH or International Money/Postal Order drawn on a UK bank. Address: Impressions, P.O. Box 304, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 2YT, England. E-Mail: estazz99@intonet.co.uk Please also read our Guest Column at ELP's new official web site. I look forward to hearing from you! Liv G. Whetmore Editor - Impressions ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 23 Aug 1997 17:34:11 -0400 To: John E. Arnold From: The LaserDisc Depot Subject: ELP On LaserDisc ! Dear John: Yahoo ! As both a die hard ELP fan and LaserDisc/DVD dealer I received an announcement today from my distributor that Image plans to release ELP on laserdisc...:-) Here are the details: The classic rock group performs one of their electrifying live shows to commemorate their 25th anniversary. Recorded at England's famous Royal Albert Hall. Time: 1 Hr, 28 Mins - 1997 $39.99 U.S. Street Date: 10/22/97.... If anyone would like a copy for $36 U.S. plus shipping please email me at discs@ld-depot.com or visit my site at: http://www.ld-depot.com Cheers ! John Weitner -- The Laserdisc Depot discs@ld-depot.com http://www.ld-depot.com ------------------------------ From: bglock@jaguNET.com, on 8/12/97 9:58 PM: To: "ELP DIGEST" Subject: ELP on Laser Disc John, The September Image Entertainment Listing, http://www.image-entertainment.com/preview.html, shows Emerson Lake and Palmer scheduled to be released on October 22. The price is 39.99 and the ID number is ID4114BE UPC014381411461 and is 88 minutes long. This was a great surprise after seeing on Images Web page that "Fun and Fancy Free" won't be released on disc until June 1988 now....... Even though I'm a avid cartoon collector, I much rather see ELP than the "rodent" any day..... Brian ------------------------------ From: JC Hebert , on 7/28/97 12:09 PM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Tarkus fingerings I have the Tarkus sheet book and I would like to send this message to all of those who have the book! I`m trying to play the "ERUPTION" part, but I think my fingering is a bit lazy.So, can someone help me build this thing up! Bars:#10-11; left hand #22 ; left hand #26 ; left hand #56 ; right hand #58(only); left hand I send this Thanks for everyone who are willing to help me ! ------------------------------ From: "Harry T. Stone" , on 8/17/97 8:08 PM: To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: ELP Chat Room John, I have created an ELP chat room. The URL is http://www.execpc.com/~usdyver/elpchat.html Hope to see alot of other fans there Harry T. -- Suffering in silence, they've all been betrayed. They hurt them and they beat them, in a terrible way, Praying for survival at the end of the day. There is no compassion for those who stay. ------------------------------ From: Jose Manuel Bravo , on 7/18/97 1:37 PM: To: arnold@ziplink.net Subject: Where to buy Emerson CDs? Do you know where can I get the Keith Emerson's CD's? Inferno La chiesa Best revenge Best Works Murderock ------------------------------ From: mike lamble , on 9/1/97 9:13 PM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: ELP videos Hello, I'm a Canadian ELP fan trying to purchase a video release of ELP live at the Royal Albert Hall. Any help regarding this OR ANY OTHER video releases would be GREAT!!!! lamblemike@rocketmail.com _____________________________________________________________________ Sent by RocketMail. Get your free e-mail at http://www.rocketmail.com [ Editor's Note: Read on... - John - ] ------------------------------ From: "Jeff Marx" , on 10/13/97 11:18 AM: To: "ELP Digest" Subject: RAH video Greetings John, I just wanted to check and see if all ELP fans here in the USA and abroad have gotten their hands on the ELP Live at the Royal Albert Hall video cassette. No?! Well then you had best contact Beckmann Communications (both NTSC and PAL formats are available). You can e-mail them at beckmann@enterprise.net--send it attention of Melanie Park. I just got mine and am on cloud 9! I totally agree with karmelo(digest V7#18) who suggested a write-in/phone campaign aimed at ABC Television to get ELP at California Jam released as a concert video. I hope all of us who adore ELP will make an effort to try and get this wonderful show released! Get those letters and phone calls going! Cheers and happy ELP-ing Free web-based email, Forever, From anywhere! http://www.mailexcite.com ------------------------------ From: Uwe Hoepfner , on 9/3/97 3:03 PM: To: ELP Digest Subject: ELP King Biscuit album Hey fans, yesterday i received that new King Biscuit Flower Hour "Greatest Hits Live" CD. I have listened to the music for two times now and looked through the whole PC interactive part. I think that the first ten pieces are interesting, because they were recorded at The Coliseum, Wheeling during the WORKS tour after they dropped the orchestra. Comparing it with the WORKS LIVE CD it shows the changes which were made with the arrangements of the pieces. Peter Gunn and Tiger... didn't change that much, but the rest is really nice. The greatest change were apparently made in the perfomance of the Piano Concerto Part 3, which is now a piano solo. On the booklet this track No. 4 is called "Piano Improvisation", i think this must be a mistake, its clearly the concerto part three. If you compare the "Pirates" of '77 with the "Pirates" of '92, one can hear a great improvement through the years. It seems they had to get it on stage very quickly those days, so they didn't go into the details that much. The pieces 11 to 14 and the first track on the second CD are from the 1974 Tulsa, Oklahoma perfomance and it sound nearly exactly the same as on the "Welcome back ..." live triple CD. If you listen to "Lucky Man", you can hear those "Woo, its crazy!" at the beginning as it is on the "Welcome back.." CD. "Still.." sound different, but KE9 seems also to be on the "Welcome back..." CD, but i'm not sure. Therefore this second part of the live perfomance is a little disappointing. So lets get to the multimedia part fast. I'm very pleased that ELP did the step into the new age and use modern media. And they did well. Because on that second cd they had to put half an hour of music, there is not much room left (nearly two third i think) for effort. The choosed Apples Quicktime technology as a basis, and that was a wise choice. Its simple to install, works properly (i checked it on three different machines) and with no hangups. All in all its too short (but could anything be long enough for the real fans?), but the videos are nice, good pictures (but only a few, could be more) and the informations given are interesting (if you are a "not so old" fan). The best part is the story and video of the "California jam" rotating piano, never saw that before. The three pieces on video (From the beginning, Lucky man, Paper Blood) are taken from the "Live at the Royal Albert Hall" video. In this case i expected the "never before seen concert footage" as promised on the booklet. Where are they (except the California Jam)? The diehard fans should not expect too much in depth information, there was not enough space, i think. To sum up: its a good cd, with interesting 1977 tour music and a well done interactive cd. For the future i like to see another CDi with more videos which were not released yet. combined with other not yet released concerts. And if you do not have it yet, take the intro (a .WAV file) on your harddisk, and on startup your PC greets you with "Welcome back my friends...."! With regards from "Unter den Linden... Uwe Hoepfner "I am closer to believing..." (?) Closer to believing, Greg Lake, Works I, 1975 ------------------------------ From: Mike_Werkman@oxy.com, on 9/9/97 9:36 AM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: ELP King Biscuit album After one listen to the new King Biscuit double-CD set of ELP IMHO this is the best ELP release since BSS. Even casual fans of the group will enjoy this album. For years I had hoped the 77 biscuit recordings from the group-only portion of the Works tour would someday be commercially available. That day is finally here. The entire broadcast just as I remembered it with great performances and sound. The rest of the first disc is familiar performances from the BSS tour, but there is a second disc... And this is the one that elevates the package to greatness. At last, a live Karn Evil 9 with a good mix. Great job Joe Mattis! You can hear the drums, Lake's extemporaneous "yeahs", even one howler of a mistake just before "fight tommorrow!". Evidently no studio sweetening here. No more wishing for a version of KE9 that holds its own with Tarkus from WBMFTTSTNE. I had been under the impression (HA) that this recording was from Anaheim CA but the booklet says Tulsa OK. Having been born and raised within 50 miles of the Civic Center I proudly claim this version as a Sooner State masterpiece. But there's more. For PC owners there are several video goodies including interviews, performances, and video clips (including the flying piano from the California Jam). My only quibbles concern the seemingly inevitable liner note errors (Works 2 was issued before the end of the tour, Love Beach was released toward the end of 78) and wishing there were separate track indexes for KE9. But I'm picking nits. I ordered my copy of this must-have package from CDnow. Just this week they are claiming to have access to a remastered version of the Pictures video. If I can snag a copy of that and the Isle of Wight CD from ELP's terrific new web site, I will have truly entered Nirvana. Mike_Werkman@oxy.com Tulsa OK (I saw ELP at the Civic Center in 77 and The Old Lady On Brady in 93 and hope they return to OK in the future). ------------------------------ From: Uwe Hoepfner , on 7/20/97 3:16 PM: To: ELP Digest Subject: ELP Concert Montreal 1977/WORKS LIVE CD Hey fans, a question to all fans, who saw that show, which was documented on the WORKS LIVE CD occured to me reading through old digest 14/92. 1. Are the songs taken from one show or were it several shows? 2. has anybody the original set list still in mind? I wonder if "Show me the way to go home" should be the last song of a concert? Someone said, Abbadons Bolero was the opener, where is "Peter Gunn" from? 3. The opening of fanfare really were trumpets? is the Fanfare part on the CD the encore? 4. What bass is GL playing? I ask because i think the sound on that CD is nothing better but worse. Too much high notes, no bass, the orchestra overlaying everything (i have the new RHINO release). Wrong impression? 5. Is it possible to collect all (?!) the set lists they did in their concerts so far? Thats seems to be much work. If someone did that before, he maybe can publish it on the digest? If not, i like to offer my help to this project, if it gets to one. BTW: After reading the views of the 1992 tour, up to now no one mentioned the important facts that 1. no persian rug!!!! 2. and yes, the green monitor with the lyrics is there. I could read it along with the concert in Munich. First text was "hello Munich". makes me still think... With regards from "Unter den Linden..." Uwe Hoepfner "Where now are those who dared to dream...! Emerson Lake & Palmer, Memoirs of an officer and a gentleman, Love Beach, 1978 [ Editor's Note: read on... - John - ------------------------------ From: Stephan Watzinger , on 9/2/97 3:29 PM: To: John Arnold Cc: watzinge@bv.rz.fh-muenchen.de Subject: Montreal, Aug. 26, 1977 Hello John! In April this year I sent you a mail concerning some information about the Montreal concert and some others as well. Recently I found out that I made a mistake when I transcribed my handwritten notes into the computer. The track "C'est La Vie" on IN CONCERT/WORKS LIVE is of course from the Montreal concert and not from the Memphis/Wheeling concert. The Memphis/Wheeling concert is a strange thing. The music from the KBFH Wheeling recording is exactly the same as on the OGWT 1979 Memphis footage (the titles "Tiger In A Spotlight" and "Watching Over You"). So, what is actually true...Wheeling or Memphis? The announcement of the new KBFH double CD says that there will be featured some tracks from March 7, 1974. I don't have this CD yet. But if those tracks are the same as on the "Welcome Back..." album, which date is the correct one? 2/10/74 or 3/7/74? Well, I have to wait for the CD's. And if this is previously released material, why do they release the same stuff over and over again? I was also disappointed by the announcement for the new "Isle Of Wight" CD. Only 55 minutes are featured. I do not buy this CD. They will have to release the complete "Isle Of Wight" video (like The Who did) before they can squeeze any money out of me. The Deep Purple footage from the California Jam is available for years now. How long do we, the fans of ELP, have to wait for the complete California Jam ELP footage? I think I won't live long enough to see this happening. Well, ELP are back on the road again and they play their old goodies. I went to see them 3 times this year and a couple more in 1992 and these concerts were some of the happiest moments in my whole life. But I think it is about time for some new albums with new music and there also is enough old material to be released in its entirety, unedited, uncut. Well, John, that's it for now. Greetings from a slightly disappointed ELP fan. Stephan [ Editor's Note: Just to interject a few things... Remember, it's King Biscuit who released the King Biscuit CD, not ELP. Also, I'm not sure ELP played for more than 55 minutes at the Isle of Wight. Remember, that was only their second show ever (I think) and they were near bottom billing, not near the top. So, it's within reason that there may only be 55 minutes of music available. And, though this message was written before the last ELP Digest was sent out, it's also not ELP who's responsible for holding back on the CalJam footage. That belongs to someone else who, so far, hasn't seen released it. But enough apologies... - John - ] Aug. 26, 1977 - Montreal, Olympic Stadium This concert was videotaped and released (not completely - see list below) on videocassette (e.g. HENDRING HEN 2 005 G [VHS-PAL] HEN 4 005 D [BETA-NTSC]). Excerpts of this concert appeared also on the IN CONCERT/WORKS LIVE albums. The sound is enhanced mono only (on both, the videos and the albums) Original playing order: | tracks on WORKS LIVE (WL) | tracks on LIVE '77 video ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Abaddon's Bolero | 1. on disc two (5:35) | 1. appears as background music only (1:11) 2. Hoedown | not featured on WL | not featured on video 3. Karn Evil 9-1st Impr.-Part 2 | not featured on WL | 3. lacks first half minute (4:30) 4. The Enemy God | not featured on WL | 2. explosion sound was added on video (2:54) 5. Tarkus | not featured on WL | not featured on video 6. C'est La Vie | 4. on disc one (4:14) | 5. coloured frame was added (4:04) 7. Lucky Man | not featured on WL | 6. also with coloured frame (2:52) 8. Pictures At An Exhibition | 2. on disc two (15:33) | 4. 2'36" were edited out at 1:54 track time(13:15) Intermission 9. Piano Concerto No.1-1st Movement | not featured on WL | not featured on video 10. Piano Concerto No.1-3rd Movement | 4. on disc two (6:26) | 7. (6:26) 11. Closer To Believing | 3. on disc two (5:17) | not featured on video 12. Knife Edge | 9. on disc one (4:47) | not featured on video 13. Tank (incl. CP drum solo) | 5. on disc two (12:18) | 8. (12:18) 14. Nutrocker | not featured on WL | 9. edited version (3:40) 15. Pirates | not featured on WL | 10. (12:43) Intermission 16. Fanfare For The Common Man (incl. Rondo) | 8. on disc one (chopped down to 10:44) |11. (16:10) ------------------------------ From: Jane Armstrong , on 7/20/97 3:39 PM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: ELP AT THE PROMS??? Sorry John if I am sending through too much. I am so fired up after last week's gig, I can't stop thinking about ELP! I have just been looking at the programme for this year's Promenade Season at the Royal Albert Hall. This is a season of cheaply priced classical music concerts where you can either get seats or buy standing tickets, when you can walk, or promenade, around the auditorium. The Proms are described as 'everyman's festival - no pretensions, but a huge range. The new music is there with everything else, not in a ghetto' (whatever that means). The whole season is broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and some are on BBC 2 TV. The Last Night of The Proms has become a national institution and one of the most sought after tickets around. I noticed that quite a lot of modern music is being played this year. For instance tonight, 20 July, they are playing a piece by Frank Zappa, as well as by Philip Glass. There is a newly commissioned work called 'Love Bead' (with a 'd' not a 'ch') by someone called Michael Gordon, and a 'Concerto for Organ and Percussion' which could have been written by Keith and Carl, but alas is by Lou Harrison. Later on in the week they are featuring another by Django Bates. On thre same programme is something called 'Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues' by Frederic Rzewski. During the season they have music by Aaron Copeland, Lennon and McCartney, Duke Ellington, Johnnie Dankworth and Cleo Laine and even Wet Wet Wet!!! To get finally to the point, I would have thought that this would be an ideal medium to bring Keith's Piano Concerto and Carl's Percussion Concerto to the masses. I have been thinking this for a number of years now, and hoping ..... The principal conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra is Andrew Davis, who has become the face fo the Proms. I happened to notice that he is the same age as Keith. Does anyone know if anyone has ever approached Keith to play his Concerto or commission a piece? If not, does anyone know who we could approach to suggest Keith's music is used? I'd have thought it would be right up his street. I have been to many Proms over the years (some with an old '70's Prog group called The Enid, who used to arrange to meet their fans there to introduce them to some of thier favourite pieces) I for one would be head of the queue for tickets! I was also wondering if Keith has every had any discussions with Michael Kamen who has worked so well with, amongst others, Eric Clapton. His 'Symphony for Guitar and Orchestra' still brings tears to my eyes. I was at the RAH when they performed it for the first time and I can remember well the stunned silence then rapturous applause and standing ovation when it came to an end. I know Keith has had problems in the past with orchestras being too staid and inflexible to play his music, but I spoke to the Leader of the orchestra and some of the other members afterwards, and they say they loved playing this kind of music. Does anyone know any answers to the above? Maybe if we write to the BBC ourselves ELP's music may yet feature on a future Proms programme. Jane Armstrong ------------------------------ From: "Chris Atton" , on 9/9/97 11:10 AM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: A Nice Question and some thanks Very nice to get the latest ELP-Digest (my first) - I've been listening to them since, oh, 1972, losing interest after BSS. So nice to hear they're back and considering returning to the old methods again! Here's a question - those readers who are also Nice fans might know the answer. John Peel used to call his BBC Radio 1 shows 'Top Gear' in the 70s and for while used a Nice piece (I think) as his intro/outro music. I still have fragments of it on tapes I recorded from the radio at the time, but I've never been able to identify. The only Nice album I no longer own is the first, so maybe it's on that (though I doubt it), or maybe it was specially recorded? Anyone know and - more to the point - anyone know where I/we can get a recording? If not, I can happily tape the fews seconds I have for completists! happy hunting, Chris Atton Edinburgh, Scotland ------------------------------ From: Jeff Krob , on 8/29/97 10:17 PM: To: arnold@reluctant.com Subject: Hamond L-100 Info Hey John, First of all, great job on the Digest! I've got a question that, as far as I know, hasn't been asked much less answered. At the end of the shows, when Keith comes out with his Hammod L-100 organ (right?) and starts his improvosations, what, in detail, is he doing to make that organ sound the way it does? The best example I've heard was on 'America' from the Nice 'Five Bridges' CD. Thanks in advance, Jeff Krob jkrob@shore.intercom.net ------------------------------ From: DrumRolls@aol.com, on 7/30/97 10:01 PM: To: arnold@reluctant.com Subject: Greg Lake's "Christian faith" I read in a recent digest wher some one wrote in that Greg Lake was on a "religious program" in England , back in the 70's-and that he stated that a lot of his songs are based on his Christian faith, I am baffled to say the least. How can anyone call the birth of Christ a "fairy story"- then state that they have Christian faith? Not ot mention the blasphemus "We'll pull Jesus from a hat get into that get into that" lyric from KE 9 1st impression. I realize Greg may not have been the one who wrote these lyrics, because Sinfield collaborated w/ him. Nonetheless, a Christian would never sing such things - at least none that I know of. So, I wonder if this is true? Anyone clarify this for me? Also, if ther are any ELP fans who are musicians who live in my neck of the woods-which is Michigan-I am a drummer looking to start a band-and I want to perorm as much ELP as possible, among other progressive pieces of music-such as "YES" , the great sounding ELP sound alike group Manticore (anyone heard them yet?) etc. I have an exact replica of the stainless steel drumset of Carl's-right down to the 28x20 bass drum( my drums are the usual wood however). They are set up exactly like Carl"s (which I did in 1974-and after all these years I just CANNNOT scale the set down). If you need a sample of my performance, I made an appearance on PBS' NOVA in 1988, doind a drum solo, and I started it off w/ the roll Carl does in KE9 1st impression just before the great guitar solo begins. You can w/ out a doubt hear who influenced me as a drummer-and see by the drumset also. (I was filmed before I had the bass drum custom built in 1994). The NOVA program is titled "Who shot President Kennedy," hosted by Walter Cronkite. I am the person who destoyed the "gunshot theory on the Dallas police tape recordings ". I can also provide other video and audio tape recordings. I had better mention, I do not have the gongs and timpani that Carl used. That is a lot out of my budget-but the cymbals, (all PAISTE), drums, etc. all are set up the same. I even use the violin bow on my cymbals like he did on KE 9 2nd impression!! and during pre-Brain salad surgery concerts during Pictures and some of his drum solo's. This is it for now. Hope someone will talk to me-I am desperate to start a band, and have only lived here in Michigan for 4 months. Thanks John for putting out this great digest. You're the greatest!! Thanks. Steve Barber ------------------------------ From: Karen Elizabeth Stober , on 7/26/97 7:10 PM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: "In My Own Time" My Own Time The Authorized Biography Of John Wetton by Kim Dancha "I live very much hand to hand, but I love it." So says John Wetton in the introduction to his biography, "My Own Time", by Kim Dancha, $19.95 + $4 S&H, First Edition, 1997 Northern Line Publishers, ISBN: 0-9654847-1-8. Of John's childhood, friend and soon-to-be fellow bandmate Robert Palmer-James remembers that "John was precocious, a little sullen, smoked copious numbers of cheap cigarettes called Park Drive, and was already possessed of the black and occasionally wounding humor which soon was to become the compensating flip-side of Britain's indulgence in flower power and psychedelia." At the same time, while tucked into bed with a transistor radio under his pillow, John heard the one song that made a huge impact on his life, "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys. At the age of eighteen, John left his home town of Bournemouth, England. By the way, this is the same area of England that Bob Fripp of King Crimson, and Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also came from. "My Own Time" briefly describes John's early bands, such as Tetrad, Mogul Thrash, Joni Mitchell (!), Family and Uriah Heep. At the time he met the soon-to-be reformed King Crimson he met his future wife, Jill. "He certainly wasn't chasing me", says Jill, "but he was drawn to talk to me." Why? Unfortunately, the book doesn't go into any detail. We never find out when they married, if they had any children, or how John's life and songwriting is influenced by Jill. Maybe this can be in a future edition. John's accomplishments and music in King Crimson were warmly received by his parents. They attended a King Crimson concert the night before. John says "I had lunch with my mom and dad the next day, and my dad said that it was very evocative. It reminded him of places he'd been, and when he used to work in the railway yards in the early morning." July 1st, 1974. King Crimson in Central Park, New York City, New York, USA. "Blistering, dizzying" are some of the words describing the landmark King Crimson concert, "culminating in a riveting performance of "Starless" in its entirety. "As the evil riff kicks in, we had these four 747 landing lights gelled red, and they rose up from the back of the stage over a period of eight minutes until the whole of Central Park was lit up red. We had the cataclysmic riff going. It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant."" Roxy Music led to UK and the famous Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA concert at Penns Landing in 1978. It's still being talked about! I know. I attended a concert by Mastermind last year in "Philly" and the DJ raved about it, then cranked out "In The Dead Of Night". We all cheered most energetically. You know you've made it when comedienne Joan Rivers mentions you in the liner notes of her album, "What Becomes A Semi-Legend Most?" " Joan wrote, "Thanks to Asia for making it so big so Geffen Records [then Asia's label - KES] could afford to blow some bucks on this album. I really owe it to you guys...so call me...one by one." John was in and out of Asia. The book briefly mentions his leaving. There had to be more behind them than a disagreement. It makes it sound too easy. One can only hope a future edition goes more deeply into what really was behind this. John enjoyed his time with Asia. "People would recognize me walking down the street. It was quite good fun because it happened in America. It didn't happen in England. In England, we were regarded as another prog rock band, plus there was no such thing as MTV in Britain at the time." There's an entire chapter about the "Asia In Asia" concert, too. Here's a little "trivia" for you Keith Emerson buffs. The Asia album, ""Astra" also vaulted Asia into movie theaters around the world, although many people may not realize it. The introduction to "Countdown To Zero" is also the same sound that identifies a film with THX Sound. John explains how it happened. "It came from a guy called Will Alexander. He came up to the studio while we were working and it was just one of those soundbites. He had a million of them. And we said, "What the hell is that? It's wonderful!" He said it was something that just wasn't copyrighted yet. So we said, "Any chance we could use it?" and he said, "Sure." And then the next thing we knew is that someone else had gotten it. There was no copyright existing on that as far as I know."" John continued his solo career. He wrote a song performed by Cher, "I'll Never Stop Loving You". John and former pop-star David Cassidy co-wrote the Asia song, "Prayin' For A Miracle". Asia concerts were living history events, too. Pat Thrall, Steve Howe's replacement, got off to a very interesting start. "Pat's "baptism of fire" came on June 17, 1990, when the new Asia lineup took the stage of the Weissensee Cycle Stadium in East Berlin. And John bore witness to a monumental time in that country, "We drove over Checkpoint Charlie on Saturday, played the show in the evening, then went to our hotel in East Berlin. The next morning, we got up and drove back to the airport, and Checkpoint Charlie was gone. They'd airlifted it out during the night. And the show, as you can imagine, was absolutely delirious. It was about 15,000 East Germans suddenly realizing that the next day they could walk over into a place that had previously been closed to them. There were people crying openly in the stadium. It was extremely emotional."" Several months later Asia would return to Berlin for a club date and witness the fall of the Berlin Wall. "There were people running naked in the streets throwing flowers at each other and grinning. And in this club, it was like everyone's birthday at the same time. I've never seen anything like it. It was extraordinary." On page 148, John mentions he is a recovering alcoholic. When was he an alcoholic? How did this affect him, his life, his love, his music? More detail is needed here in a future edition. There are many black and white photographs. A few color photos would help a lot. The "floating head" shot of John on the cover should be replaced with something warmer, even color. "My Own Time" concludes with a discussion of John's latest release, "Arkangel", and some possible future releases of archival work. There are demos existing of John with Geoff Downes, Bill Bruford and Robert Palmer-James. The book is a wonderful, brief, very easy reading peek into the life, heart and inspiration that is John Wetton. Beg, borrow or steal a copy, just read it. "And I think you do need this obsessional belief in yourself to enable you to do it," says John in conclusion, "otherwise you wouldn't get off the blocks. But what I had trouble with was sorting out self-belief from ego, and now I know better. I couldn't tell the difference, but that's another story, and maybe another book!" And please, John, don't make us wait another thirty years. Read the book's Foreword and you will understand the "thirty years". Karen Elizabeth Stober, July 26, 1997 home:karen1@mail.idt.net work:kstober@attmail.com home page: http://idt.net/~karen1/ ------------------------------ From: riccardo , on 7/21/97 9:19 PM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: Met Emo in Italy Hi everybody from spaghetti land, I have been to the ELP concert, yesterday 20th july, in Castiglione delle Stiviere between Verona and Mantova, near to the Garda lake. It has been a great concert, they're still the greatest. The song list has been the same of the others named for this tour. But the most important reason that leads me to write about the show (and please John, insert this into the next digest) is that there are no words to signify how much I owe to Will Alexander for his kindness which made me living the most magic afternoon and evening I ever had. After I jumped over an unguarded barrier, I introduced myself to Will as the owner of the black Emerson's GX-1 (showed him a photo). To tell you about his kindness, he let me follow all the operations for the keyboard rig setup, he spoked with me explaining how it worked, speaking slowly so that I could understand better (and without my request, this really is of a gentleman), then after he provided backstage pass for me and a friend of mine, he let me stay near him during the show sometimes giving me his headphones so that I could hear only the keyboards parts. After the show I tried to meet Keith but the security did not let me in even if I had the pass. I asked Will what to do. Well, I still cannot believe it, he took me with him and introduced me to Keith. There was a bit of confusion outside the bus so Keith invited me into the bus to have a little chat. He asked me about his GX-1, I showed him the photo I took with me and have it autographed by him and Will. Keith is really the nice person everybody talks about, gentle and easy to talk with. I was so excited that I did not ask any of the thousend questions I had. Telling the truth I wasn't even able to tell him I was so excited. I think that persons like these really deserve all the respect and affection that their fans have for them. There are not enough words to thank Will and Keith for the emotions I lived during that afternoon and evening. I will sure remember it for all of my life. A technical note: the keyboards on the stage were: Alesis QS8 atop a GEM realpiano PRO2 (which lays inside an empty piano black mezza coda piano) On the righthand (from the stage to the people) the hammond organ with a Korg trinity pro on the top. The big Moog Modular stands tall letting the people see it. Inside the rack: alesis QS modules, korg wavestation, realpiano module, voce v3, opcode midi patch bay, roland gp100, and something else I do not remember. Near to the rack, the second Trinity and a Kurzweil 2500. All this stuff makes Keith sounds be at the same time good as the old days, but also new and fresh. Cheers to you all riccardo grotto ------------------------------ From: -centromusicale , on 7/22/97 1:44 PM: To: "'elp-digest@reluctant.com'" Subject: ELP in Europe Hi John, in the past two weeks I attended 2 ELP gigs in Europe???.. INCREDIBLE !!!!!! Montreux july 7 : great power, much much better than in 92/93! EMO: right hand is at his 70% but the impact, aggressivity, feeling and enjoy of playing is at the best I've reviewed the bloody boy of the '70 ! Less keyboard's multipatch but more rock, more grinding hammond, more piano, more improvisation , MORE EMERSON ! G.L.: the voice is back , the body is over !!! Mantova july 20 : THE REAL SURPRISE!!! A quasi-improvised gig: the P.A. power is of only 10.000 watts (speaking with ELP techs I learned that the minimum request is 16.000), a mini-stage without backstructures, no space, no real security staff, a crowd of only 1000 fanatics, in one word the gig was in risk of cancellation) but???.. Better than in Montreux !!!!!!!!! A great gig , and the real news come from the "interplay" of Keith and Carl: great smiles , happiness in the band, improvisations never seen ! And the final surprise: after the encore (the well known Fanfare - Rondo' but with Carmina burana medley), a second encore!!! (It caught me by surprise, I was leaving the crowd????): 21st century schizoid man + a new version of America !! Last news: in Montreux, beetween the people I've seen a strange man, white hairs ????.. MR. H.R.GIGER!! He said that he is painting the cover for the new ELP album, a "concept" and that the three guys are at a good point: 20 min. of new music is ready! I hope that you will present this letter in the digest ( sorry for my English, corrections are welcome !!!!) Ciao, Giuliano Motta Piazza Gualzetti 6 23100 Sondrio ITALY tel./fax 0342/210788 0368/234986 ------------------------------ From: Luiz Cesar Savi , on 8/7/97 1:36 AM: To: "John E. Arnold" Subject: ELP at Teatro Guaira II Dear John: I have just arrived home, coming from the concert ELP performed at Teatro Guaira (Curitiba, Brazil). The show was scheduled to begin at 9 p. m., but actually began at 10 due to technical problems. The program: 1. Karn Evil 9, 1st impression, 2nd part (Wellcome Back...) 2. Tiger on a Spotlight 3. Hoedown 4. Touch and Go 5. From the Beginning 6. Knife Edge 7. Bitches Crystal 8. Creole Dance 9. Honk Tonk Train Blues 10. Take a Pebble (with a jazz-style improvisation with two flashing quotes by Emerson; sorry, I am still trying to identify them...) 11. Lucky Man 12. Tarkus(Eruption, Stones of Years, Iconoclast and Mass) interpolating Pictures at an Exibition (The End) 13. Encore Medley: Fanfare for a Common Man, Rondo (another quote: Orff's Carmina Burana, two times) with drum solo (This was supposed to be the finale but, for our contentment...) 14. Medley: 21st Century Schizoid Man/America/Bach's Tocatta and Fugue in D minor(that old Hammond organ is alive and well...)/America This was the first time I could attend to an ELP concert and I hope it won't be the last. They are much much better alive than I could ever imagine. The bad news (for those interested in souvenirs of the tour): there was absolutely no merchandise available (and to make things worse the guy in charge of the stage security picked up _all_ the three or four guitar picks Greg Lake had thrown at the ground...). That's it! Rest assured to make your money's worth and see the show!! Regards, Cesar. ------------------------------ From: Jaime Lage , on 8/11/97 12:28 AM: To: elp-digest@reluctant.com Subject: ELP in Buenos Aires I want to tell to the ELP fans of the world , that the show they had give on Teatro Gran Rex on August 8, was really magical. My reference to say this is the show , they gave on April 93, at Obras ( basketball stadium ) in BA. The theatre was sold out, the people were anxious to see a concert with very high moments like the KE piano solo of Danzas Criollas of Ginastera (Creole Dance ), Bitches Crystal and Tarkus hooked with The Great Gate of Kiev. KE appeared much more relaxed after his piano solo, on the first encore he amazed everybody with the knife number, and while he was playing Toccata and fugue in D minor, in the reverse mode, a young man jumped from the public, put himself on his knees and started to made reverences to him. On the second encore they played a electrifiring version of 21st century schizoid man. At the very end , it was beautiful to see the masters giving handshakes to the first rows of the audience, specially the usual cool Mr. Greg Lake who nerviously gave really handshakes, not light touch. ELP have a strong, warm and loyal following here, we are waiting to the next tour. Long Live ELP. Jaime Lage ------------------------------ From: bglock@jaguNET.com, on 9/7/97 12:06 AM: To: "ELP DIGEST" Subject: Concert Setember 6 Wolfe Trap Hi Everyone, I just got home form the Concert at Wolfe Trap in Vienna VA. WOW what a performance! On the stage were a large bouquet of white flowers with a single candle. At 8:10pm Greg Lake from off stage welcomed everyone to Wolfe Trap then went on to say " I'm sure everyone is aware of the funeral held today for Princess Diana….. Would you please join us in a moment of silence". For the next minute or so the only thing you could hear were the crickets. Following the final movement from Symphony #3 Organ final movement. It was a moving experience. Following was the Classic "Welcome back my friends..." and the show took off and ended about 1hr and 50 min. later. The concert as a whole was the usual high energy and technical proficiency we usually see from the guys. The play list was pretty much identical to concerts listed in previous digests. Probably the only negative thing from the evening was the occasional "mushy" mix. At times things seemed a little bass heavy with the keyboards being too far back in the mix. But this was only occasional. For the most part things sounded fine. My father and I were discussing the show on the ride home and came to conclusion that ELP's music and performance are of such high caliber and the amount of information "thrown" at you leaves you mentally numb, in a good way. You can see the chemistry between each member and the output form the stage shows how they are able to paly off of each other. During "Take a Pebble" either there were some strong air currents on the stage or the Fog machine was in the wrong place, someone did come out and move it, but all of the fog was heading over to Keith. It was very humorous to see him behind the keys with this thick "London" fog rolling over. His expressions were great also. Brian ------------------------------ From: "Dan Wasser" , on 9/7/97 12:46 AM: To: Subject: my dream came true John, I've seen ELP oh, maybe, a dozen times over the past 20 years or so. Well, tonight, September 6th, my dream came true. I met E, L, and P. Someone connected with the group was so kind and generous enough to leave "after show" passes for my wife and me at the Wolf Trap show in Vienna, Virginia. Turns out, there were only about 20 people who were given these passes, so I consider myself very lucky and privileged. Anyway, the show was great, the same line-up of songs as all the others. Though I did very much like how they went from Tarkus into Pictures. And, at the beginning of the show, Greg spoke over the P.A. system (before they came on stage) and asked for one minute of silence for Princess Diana (She was buried that morning). There was a very large floral arrangement at center stage with a single candle in it. After the show, we went to the designated area and, after about 20 minutes or so, we were received in the "Musician's Lounge" back stage. There they were, in the flesh. The room was intimate, sort of like a typical family room or living room in a house. Several couches, artwork on the walls, warm lighting. As we were going in, I had to keep telling myself: "don't throw up, don't throw up" (kiddingly) but I was a bit nervous, I must admit. But, really, the whole scene was very calm and cordial and intimate and relaxed. So, I went directly to Carl (he's handsome, muscular, about 5'8"?, relatively short hair), introduced myself, and started telling him that he is my idol, how he's the greatest drummer, how I try to play Pirates and Hoedown like him but that I don't come close to him, and other inane things. He's taking it all in, being very polite. Eventually, I calm down and ask him a few more questions. Here's what I can remember: he exercises a lot including swimming, fencing, and running. He carries a practice pad and tries to practice a bit every day - even on show days. He's married and has a 14-year-old daughter. Lives in the Canary Islands. Regarding the K-2 project with John Wetton, he said that once the record companies found out who they (P&W) were, they weren't interested, said that they (P&W) were too old. So, the K-2 thing might be released on the Manticore label. I told him that I owned the PM album, he said that it's being released on CD on the Manticore label. For the next half-hour or so (when we left), he kept signing authographs for people and taking pictures with people. I then went to Keith (thin build, long hair, seemed kind of aging, about 5'9"?), introduced myself, and proceeded to tell him how much I loved his music and also how much I enjoy his "Letters from the Front" on his web page and started to joke around with him about the Amsterdam letter. He seemed to be a bit pre-occupied and excused himself to go deal with someone else. But, it was great speaking with him just for a minute or two. By this time, Greg was "holding court" in the center of the room, speaking at length to about 10 people about his feelings about Princess Diana. He spoke of the outpouring of emotion in London, among other things. I managed to introduce myself to him and tried to focus on his looks and just tried to absorb his image in my memory. I wanted to remember this moment. (Though I'm a drummer, I've always greatly admired Greg and his music). Anyway, he must be about 6'2" (or more?), rather husky (but not "fat"!) and wears an earing. He's quite polite. At a rest in his conversation, I asked him when he last thought about (and I started singing): "It takes a woman like you ......" (from his second? solo album) [a song I love] and he thought for a moment and said "Gary Moore?" (which, frankly, don't think it was?) and I just said that my wife (who was standing next to me) and I always dance to it (which we do). I then followed up with an (another?) idiotic question. I said something to the effect that when ELP cools down, would he consider working with Kate Bush. He thought for a second and said that he didn't think that project would be a good substitute for ELP. (I think he wanted to say: "what a stupid f'ing question, you idiot!). But, he didn't. He did, however, say that ELP's next project would be a concept album with multimedia, i.e., an accompanying video or CD ROM. I asked if it would be "prog rock" and he said that he didn't know as they haven't even started writing it yet. We hung around another 10 minutes or so (had to get home, babysitters cost money, you know!) just listening in on other people's conversations. I then realized that everybody was saying, basically, the same thing to these guys: "I met you (number of years, location)" or "my favorite song is ....." or "what do you think about (name of song)." I realized that E, L, and P must hear these same questions/comments every time they do one of these "after show" parties. To their credit - God bless 'em - they make every effort to appear interested even though, I could tell, they've heard it all before. And, when you consider that they just put on an energetic 2-hour show and now have to perform AGAIN for another hour or so with these 20 or so people staring at them like they're zoo animals, well they deserve a lot of credit for being extremely polite and cooperative. I'm sure that they'd just as soon go back to their hotel, get a cup of tea, and get into bed. Regardless, it was just wonderful, exciting, and a dream come true. Dan Wasser Gaithersburg, Maryland ------------------------------ From: "Brian Spencer" , on 9/7/97 2:03 PM: To: Subject: ELP's First Concert in US (1997) Hi John, Well this is my first time writing in but it's for a good reason. I first would like to thank you for the good work you do with the digest. If not for your work, I would have not know of ELP's visit to Virginia. I found out about it last week and order tickets to go. Now on with the show. My brother and I and a friend drove for 3 hours from Virginia beach to the Filene Center (Wolf Trap) arena in Vienna Virginia to see ELP's first concert in the US this year. The concert was GREAT!!!. They all seem to be in a great mood. Very excited and full of energy. Emerson played very well, I did not notice any problems with his arm. He played a very commanding performance. Played like the king of keyboards that he is. I had not seen them in concert since I was 14 years old in 1976. ELP was the very first concert I had ever attended. What a concert to start out with. Anyway back to last nights show. The Filene Center was great. We were about 10 rows from the front. The sound was not the best there, but I didn't care, cause being able to watch Keith play that close up was the greatest trill for me. My brother went to the back and he said that the sound was a little better about 20 rows back. It was great to see the guys working together so well. They really seem to be working well together and having a great time. I took about 50 pictures during the concert using my Ricoh Digital camera. Not all of the pictures came out but some look pretty good and I'm going to try to clean them up a little over the next few days and I will be posting them on my web site when they are ready. The address is http://spensoft.dyn.ml.org/elp . Now here is the run down of what they did: 1. Karn Evil 9 (First Impression, Part 2) 2. Tiger in a Spotlight 3. Hoedown 4. Touch and Go 5. From the Beginning 6. Knife-Edge 7. Bitches Crystal 8. Creole Dance 9. Honky Tonk Train Blues 10. Take a Pebble 11. Lucky Man 12. Tarkus (Medley) 1.Eruption 2. Stones of Years 3. Iconoclast 13. Fanfare for the Common Man 14. Carl did a drum solo 15. Keith did his solo with the organ and the knifes. He also pulled the organ on top of him and played it backwards. He did not throw the organ around on stage very much like he use to but he did it enough to bring back memories of the old days. He also jumped up on the grand piano after doing the organ bit and played it backwards. I have a few pictures of this, but the crow was standing and the strange was to low to get a good view. 16. 21st Century Schizoid Man 17. America (the encore) The concert started at 8pm with one minute of silence for Diana. That was a weird moment. The crow went from being excited and making a lot of noise to being so quiet, all you could hear was the crickets outside. Except for one women who yelled ouch for some reason. They also had flowers on stage before they came out. The concert ran till just after 10pm. Wow 2 hours or ELP, it was great! If was funny to, during one of Keith's solo parts (Take A Pebble), smoke starting coming out from back stage, you know the normal concert smoke, and Keith looked up with surprise and started looking around like it should not be happening, then he waved some of the smoke away from his face and laughed. Keith also talked to the audience several times including the first time after he did his solo with that thing that shoots sparks out, (I have no idea what you call it, it's just cool) and he rubbed it on his butt and after he did that, he came to the mike and said, "Now that's how you blow it out your ass". Everyone laughed. During Carls solo, he took off his shirt and tossed around his drum sticks ( he still has it, the master) He also used his gongs. The stage was simple but that's what I liked about it, they were there to perform, not put on a stupid stage show, and perform they did. All I have to say at this point is, if you can go, GO! It's worth every penny. I would have paid twice what I paid to see then. I'm even thinking about trying to go to another one of their shows if I can. And, if ELP reads this email, I just want to say THANKS GUYS, it was GREAT!!!!!! Brian Spencer spensoft@cris.com ------------------------------ From: Richard Eckman , on 9/7/97 3:28 PM: To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: ELP at Wolf Trap, VA 9/6 I saw ELP at Wolf Trap on September 6, their first north American show on this (apparently) last leg of the current tour. After seeing them about 7 times since 1977, I have to admit that I was disappointed with the show. First off, the music prior to the show's beginning was some interesting requiem-like material, obviously in memory of Lady Diana who was buried on the day. There was a large wreath on stage with lillies and a candle. The show opened with Greg's voice asking for a one-minute silence and, impressively, the venue was indeed silent and one could hear the crickets chirp. The show then began and the lads seemed to be in reasonably good form. Carl was technically brilliant, as usual, and Keith was doing very well on keyboards. Greg's bass was very well played, but his voice wasn't really very strong and he missed a number of notes. This was a minor quibble with respect to my main complaint. I suppose that I must be getting old (although ELP are still 12 or so years my senior), but is it really necessary to hear the same stuff trotted out in pretty much the same way year after year. Do the fans really need to see Keith wrestle the old Hammond? Does Carl have to do his patented drum solo every time. Does the mix have to be so damn loud and muddy? As disturbing as the previous paragraph may sound, I am indeed a major fan of the group. I grew up listening to ELP, still remember their shows in 1977/78 as among the best concerts that I've ever attended. Indeed, I drove 200 miles to see them yesterday. But, I just find it weird to watch a group of guys in their 50s (I guess Carl is a bit younger) doing the same stuff that they were doing close to 30 years ago. Would it be too much to ask for new arrangements, for songs that we haven't heard in years (how about "The Endless Engima") or maybe, dare I say, a show without Pictures of Tarkus. Granted, these are the songs that they're known for, but it's just sounding old to me. The high points of yesterday's show for me were an excellent performance of "Honky Tonk Train Blues" and a neat arrangement of "Take a Pebble". They were a bit more laid back than the rest of their material, and I guess that's more of what I would really like to hear these days. Given that a large proportion of the audience were in their 30s or 40s (or beyond), I just wonder if their is similar sentiment to mine or if it is just a bunch of overgrown adolescents clamoring for some organ wrestling and butt-rubbing with the ribbon controller. I can't believe that I'm the only one who feels this way. I'm not asking for an ELP "unplugged", but perhaps new arrangements, more acoustic in part, and playing some of their material that they haven't performed live in many years. How about it lads? Regards, Richard Eckman Hampton, VA ------------------------------ From: Joseph Gambaccini , on 9/8/97 9:27 AM: To: "'arnold@reluctant.com'" Subject: ELP show at vienna, virginia i saw elp in vienna, va. on saturday night and what a way to start the u.s. tour!!! there was a flower arrangement and a minute of silence before the show for princess di and then they "kicked" things off with karn evil 9 (first imp. pt. 2)!!! lake's voice HAS improved! the list of songs was the same as those in the elp newsletters i.e., bitches crystal, tarkus (partial), america, 21st century s.m.(partially played), gates of kiev, to name a few. take a pebble, from the beginning and tarkus were to me the best. emerson was riding his organ, etc.... and even played phantom of the opera from on top of his piano!!! roughly 4,000 (place holds 6,000) showed up for the show!!!! they all loved it, too!!! the show was great - much better than in '92 when i saw them in atlanta. i hope there's more from this amazing act in the future!!! ------------------------------ From: Elp5000@aol.com, on 9/8/97 8:43 PM: To: elp-digest-web@reluctant.com Subject: Wolf Trap Concert 9/6/97 Went to see ELP on Saturday night the first show of the tour. It was quite nice the band had a floral arrangement at the front of the stage and before ELP came on Greg Lake asked for a minute of silence for Princess Di. You could hear a pin drop. Then they hit the stage and there was no turning back. There were a few minor problems poor Keith was engulfed in smoke when the wind blew the smoke from a smoke machine just around him. The audience, Greg and Carl could not help but laugh. The band was in good form and the sound seemed good. Without giving too much away they played for close to 2 hours including the 2 encores and Keith did not seem to be having any problem with his hands. The audience loved the show and ELP were having fun you could see they were enjoyng the evening. After the show I got to met the band they were all nice and answered questions and signed autographs for anyone that asked. In short don't miss ''THE SHOW THAT NEVER ENDS'' you will be sorry if you do. ------------------------------ Digest subscrition, mailing address, and administrative stuff to: elp-digest-request@reluctant.com ELP-related info that you want to put in the digest to: elp-digest@reluctant.com Back issues are available from the ELP Digest web site: URL: http://bliss.berkeley.edu/elp/ Note: The opinions, information, etc. contained in this digest are those of the original message sender listed in each message. They are not necessarily those of the mailing list/digest administrator or those of any institution through whose computers/networks this mail flows. Unless otherwise noted, the individual authors of each entry in the Digest are the copyright holders of that entry. Please respect that copyright and act accordingly. I especially ask that you not redistribute the ELP Digest in whole or in part without acknowledging the original source of the digest and each author. Thanks! ------------------------------ End of ELP Digest [Volume 7 Issue 19] *************************************